[Mr Sparkle]

Am i take taking to long on 1st cleans?
I've only been cleaning since the start of the newyear and whilst i'm getting the custies rolling in slowly but surely i'm worried about the time it's taking to clean, for eg a semi detached 3 bedroom house with consevatory on 1st clean is taking me around 1.5 hours as i'm obsessed with scrubbing the frames and making them sparkle. Should i concentrate more on the windows and just give the frames a quick rub over?
And how long should i be taking?

[jaykie]

No wonder your called Mr Sparkle

[monkeyman]

hi mr sparkle i,m the same only been going a few weeks and i,m taking about the same amount of time.suppose its a learning phase hopefully we shall both speed up in time

[Pureandclean]

30 minutes max.
If you are going to take that long for a 1st clean, then you will need to charge double for your 1st clean, and explain that it is going to take you alot longer the 1st time, otherwise they will expect you to take that long every time.

[Mr Sparkle]

Thanks guys i'll get my skates on in future

[G O A]

i started off like this too,also i realised that you need to add a bit on for frames and doors otherwise you will lose out big time.ive just moved 200 miles and starting from fresh next monday but there are so many people starting up its taking longer to get the custys comin in
but they are slowly after a couple of nights wandering the streets

[davids3511]

The speed comes from experience and most of all confidence that when you walk awat it will be a good job. I started up over a year ago an first cleans used to take me over an hour. Now I can knock out those houses in 15-25 minutes.

This was me a year ago - www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=45757.0

[Mr Sparkle]

Thanks david just read your link and it seems i'm at the stage you were when you started, That's gave me hope for the future,
Cheers great forum

[DaveG]

Over the past month or so ive done loads of first cleans and the typical 3 bed semi takes about 30 mins, scrubbing and rinsing the frames and glass.
Its worth taking your time on the first cleans, but 1 1/2 hours is a bit excessive to be honest, but like the other guys have siad speed comes with experience.
Im now beginning to do some second cleans and its really paid off doing a thorough first clean because the windows just need a quick scrub and rinse.
Keep at it mate!

Cheers Dave

[chris@c.m.s]

I used to almost take as long, you will find a high flow rate will help speed things up and yep you will speed up a lot but it will take a while,

I always take at least twice as long on first cleans, never clock watch untill you have too much work on, its more important to do a good job no point in rushing and losing the customer, think how much the job will make you over the year and forget how long the first clean takes.

As a result of the above last year I gained £1000 monthly of new work and haven't had anyone drop out yet.     

[monkeyman]

that,ll ding dang do for me

[pingu]

Just take as long as it takes...when we all start out, we all take far too long but this is where we all learn ...personally I do the whole house, paying particular attention to the top frames and nooks and crannies...the glass is not really that important..yes I scrub it but it's the frames that get most of my attention.

Then when I have finished..I'll do it all again ableit not so long taken.

But this is not the time for you to really worry about trying to do it speedy...personally I just work on the basis that each 1st clean takes double the time I would normally give it.

Cheers and good luck.

Dave.


ooooooooooooooooh look at me talking like I have been doing this my whole life...I only started 2 years ago 

[Jimmy1]

My advice is - while your round isn't full - dont worry about the time it takes for a first clean. do the best possible job you can and build a sound reputation. I personally hardly ever charge extra for a first clean as I am still building my round and I know once the first clean is over all further cleans are a doddle. Speed increases as you gain more experience. The first job I got was a really large house/conservatory and the first clean took me 4 1/2 hours. The same clean now takes me 1 1/4 hours ( and is really well priced). A three bed semi will take approx 20 - 30 mins once youve built up your speed.

[Pureandclean]

Don't be afraid to charge extra for the first clean, you will be amazed, many people actually expect to pay extra when there windows are filthy, or you point out how dirty the frames are.
Before wfp many window cleaners did not touch the frames, only the glass, so nowadays they are getting twice the job done for the same price.
 You will also find that charging more for the first clean, can sift out awkward customers, the ones that object to paying extra, are unreasonable and it will show up later, so save yourself some grief.